Conical container

Abstract

A conical container that is stable includes a cup adapted to contain liquid and/or one or more selected item(s) and a frustoconical skirt depending therefrom. The container may further include a plurality of removable and interchangeable inserts operable with the cup and/or one or more tray operable with the skirt. The container may advantageously be used as a vase for an arrangement of fresh cut flowers, and may optionally be converted for use with one or more additional selected item.

1. A container comprising:
 a frustoconical skirt tapering from a base to a top; 
 a cup disposed within said frustoconical skirt and adapted to contain a liquid; and 
 a plurality of removable and interchangeable inserts operable to engage a portion of said cup, wherein each said insert is engageable with a corresponding grooved formed in an inner surface of said cup. 
 
     
     
       2. The container of  claim 1 , wherein said insert comprises a plurality of apertures formed therein. 
     
     
       3. The container of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one insert comprises two gridded inserts removably operable with said cup, and wherein apertures of said two gridded inserts are aligned in registration when said gridded inserts are engaged with said cup. 
     
     
       4. The container of  claim 1 , wherein said skirt comprises a gripping device. 
     
     
       5. The container of  claim 1 , wherein said skirt comprises a plurality of apertures formed therethrough around a medial portion of said skirt. 
     
     
       6. The container of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one channel adapted to collect liquid, said at least one channel being disposed on at least one of an upper edge of said skirt and an outer surface of said skirt. 
     
     
       7. The container of  claim 1 , wherein said cup comprises a frustoconical wall and a flat bottom. 
     
     
       8. A container system comprising:
 a cup operable to contain at least one of a liquid and a selected item; 
 a frustoconical skirt depending from a top of said cup; 
 a plurality of removable and interchangeable inserts operable to engage a portion of said cup; and 
 at least one tray removably operable with said skirt. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein said skirt comprises a plurality of apertures adapted to receive a user's finger for gripping. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one tray is operable with said skirt via engagement with at least one of said plurality of apertures of said skirt. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 8 , wherein said plurality of removable and interchangeable inserts comprises at least one solid insert and at least one apertured insert. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 8 , wherein each of said plurality of removable and interchangeable inserts is engageable with a corresponding groove formed in an inner surface of said cup. 
     
     
       13. A method of distributing flowers and at least one additional selected item, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a container system comprising a cup operable to contain at least one of a liquid and a flower, a frustoconical skirt depending from a top of said cup, a plurality of removable and interchangeable inserts operable to engage a portion of said cup, and a tray removably operable with said skirt, 
 arranging at least one flower in said cup; 
 disposing at least one additional selected item on said tray; and 
 distributing the at least one flower and the at least one additional selected item to a selected recipient. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of arranging comprises the step of disposing at least a portion of a flower through an aperture of an insert, the insert being disposed proximate a medial portion of the cup. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of removing the tray from the container system. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one step selected from the group consisting of removing an apertured insert from an interior of the cup and engaging an insert with an interior of the cup. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of disposing at least one second selected item on the tray. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one selected item is selected from the group consisting of candies and baked goods.